Independent Spending, Week by Week

Since the start of the presidential campaign, independent groups have spent at least $524 million on television advertisements and other efforts asking voters to elect or defeat candidates. The most active groups have been "super PACs," which can raise unlimited money from individuals, corporations and labor unions. Although these groups cannot legally be tied to a candidate, several of the most-active ones are run or advised by former associates or campaign staff; those are noted below with the picture of the candidate.

Main activity: Attacking Barack Obama(100%)

$19,404,879

100% spent on attack ads

34% of all Rep. spending

2

Republican

Super PAC

This super PAC was active in many Congressional races during the 2010 midterm elections and has Karl Rove as its senior adviser. It has spent money on advertisements opposing President Obama and congressional Democrats.

Main activity: Attacking Barack Obama(78%)

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

$12,055,398

78% spent on attack ads

21% of all Rep. spending

3

Republican

No known ties to candidate

American Future Fund

A conservative nonprofit organization based in Iowa, American Future Fund has spent money attacking Democratic candidates for Congress and President Obama.

Main activity: Supporting Mitt Romney(83%)

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

$6,833,275

17% spent on attack ads

12% of all Rep. spending

4

Republican

A nonprofit social welfare organization, Crossroads GPS is a companion group to American Crossroads, a Republican-backing super PAC active in the presidential and Congressional races. A lawyer for President Obama has asked the Federal Election Commission to force GPS to reveal its donors.

Main activity: Supporting Mitt Romney(76%)

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

$6,707,343

24% spent on attack ads

12% of all Rep. spending

5

Republican

No known ties to candidate

Republican National Committee

The R.N.C. is the national party organization for the Republican Party and raises and spends money on behalf of its candidates nationwide. Its chairman is Reince Priebus. Its spending total does not include about $21 million in advertising coordinated with Mitt Romney's campaign, or general party spending on other Republican candidates and administrative costs.

Main activity: Supporting Barack Obama(79%)

$826,299

21% spent on attack ads

16% of all Dem. spending

11

Democratic

Super PAC

A labor-union-backed super PAC, Workers' Voice is primarily engaged in "ground game" efforts to increase voter registration and turnout. It has also run online advertisements opposing Mitt Romney.

Main activity: Supporting Barack Obama(53%)

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

$431,565

47% spent on attack ads

8% of all Dem. spending

12

Republican

Super PAC

No known ties to candidate

Citizens for a Working America PAC

First organized for the 2010 midterm elections, this super PAC was reported to be raising money to help Michele Bachmann's campaign, but in late December it shifted its support to Mitt Romney.

Main activity: Attacking Barack Obama(100%)

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

$120,734

100% spent on attack ads

Less than 1% of all Rep. spending

13

Democratic

No known ties to candidate

MoveOn.Org Political Action

First formed in 1998 to oppose the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, MoveOn is a liberal political action group. It has spent money on online and broadcast advertisements and other forms of outreach, including airplane banners, to oppose Mitt Romney.

Main activity: Attacking Mitt Romney(100%)

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

$29,299

100% spent on attack ads

1% of all Dem. spending

14

Republican

No known ties to candidate

Our Country Deserves Better

The political action committee of the Tea Party Express, this group has sent e-mails critical of President Obama.

Main activity: Supporting Mitt Romney(50%)

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

$25,000

50% spent on attack ads

Less than 1% of all Rep. spending

15

Republican

Super PAC

No known ties to candidate

FreedomWorks for America

This committee is a wing of FreedomWorks, a nonprofit organization led by Dick Armey, a Republican and former House majority leader.

Main activity: Attacking Mitt Romney(100%)

$14,556

100% spent on attack ads

Less than 1% of all Dem. spending

19

Democratic

The largest public employee labor union, Afscme has run ads against Mitt Romney in swing states such as Florida and Ohio.

Main activity: Supporting Barack Obama(100%)

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

$13,421

0% spent on attack ads

Less than 1% of all Dem. spending

20

Republican

Newt Gingrich

Super PAC

Winning Our Future

This super PAC was created by Becky Burkett, the former chief development officer for American Solutions, a PAC that Newt Gingrich founded. Since the reporting period ended, the super PAC has reportedly also received at least $10 million from a wealthy casino owner, Sheldon Adelson, and his wife.